Attitude-indicating flight instrument



July 23, 1946.

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T. O. SUMMERS, JR

ATTITUDE-INDICATING FLIGHT INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 4, V194:3

- s sheets-sheet 1 /D v1/j( M ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1946. T. o. suMMERs. JR 2,404,603

ATTITUDE-INDIIGATING FLIGHT INSTRUMENT ,Filed Jan. 4, 1943 s sheets-sheet 2 T 'laA f INVEN TOR.

if' f, y 7270/1/45@ SUMME/35 d BY ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1946. T. o. sUMMERs, JR 2,494,503

ATTITUDE-INDICATING FLIGHT INSTRUMENT Filed Jn. 4, 1945 .fs sheets-sheet 3 l '36 a y f5 f7 if V' "v1- 87 @a 37 i N 3] 2L 2f l 5@ 89 j 122 4 5 y y 56 i.

. I INVENTOR,

ZZ/@V45 jan/MERS JQ.

75 lATroRmsY.

Patented July 23, 1946 ATTITUDE-INDICATTNG FLIGHT INSTRUMENT- Thomas 0. Summers, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.

Application January 4, 1943, Serial No.,471,259

t 10 Claims.

This invention relates to"`attitudeindicating flight instruments and more particularly to instruments of the type commonly used as an aid to navigation of an aircraft and wherein an aircraft semblance is caused by gyroscopic stabilization Ato depict pitchV and roll of the aircraft.

An object of the'present invention is to proyvide an attitude-indicating flight instrument which includes a combination of Vcooperatively associated indicators, one of which' shows direction and extent of pitch while another shows direction and extent of roll, with the result that observation of this single instrument, even if by only `a single hurried glance, will impart, to the pilot all of the data required to` enable him to keep his ship in the desired iiying attitude.

Since vthe lift of an airplane is dependent upon several Variable factors, such as trim, air speed, total load, and load distribution, it fre'- quently occurs that, in order -to ily at constant elevation, the attitude of an' airplane with respect to the horizontal must be varied to compensate for variation in one or more of `those factors. For example, if the total load weight is decreased or if the center of gravity of the load is moved aft While thev air speed is permitted to remain constant,` as' frequently' occurs during 4not at how much deviation therefrom, rather than whether or not the ship itself is in any par- V ticular attitude with respect to the horizontal. i

In those instruments in which an adjustment 2 the indicating media are observed, with theresult that this support not onlyobscures vision through the window and thereby complicates the` matter of reading the instrument, but it also actually occupies a position in front of the instruments dial which could be employed most advantageously for a more benecial purpose, such as for the accommodation of the referencel scalefor anindicator'used to indicate direction and extent of rolling movements of the craft.v Heretofore, since'the adjustabledatum support has necessarily. obscured the View o fy an appreciable portion of the lower half ofthe instruments4 dial, it has been necessary to position this reference scale in the upper half of the dial Where it must be used to measure movements of the upper end of the vertical indicating reference. It is for this reason that the roll-indicating marker of an instrument of this type and constructed according to conventional design, while showing correctly the degree or extent of roll, moves backward over the scale and therefore vindicates direction of bank incorrectly. That is to say, ina conventional instrument the roll pointer moves to the left across its associatedfscale whenth'eraircraft banks to the right, and toward the 'right 'when the aircraft banks to theleft. This confusing situation is remedied by the instrument of the present invention wherein the pitch-'indicating datum marker is amxed directly to thetransparent window of the instrument, thereby obviating'the necessity of providing any other support therefor and leaving the entire portion of the dial which is below, the datum marker completely unobscured. As a result,V the scale of the vertical indicator can be accommodated conveniently in this Ymoreadvantageous position, thus permitting'use ofthe lower end of the vertical y indicator with the result that it shows not only of the character indicated is Provided it is cust tomary to make lthe adjustment in the position of the datum marker, i. e., the indicator which is mounted directly upon the housing of the instrument and which therefore serves merely as a basis of reference with which the gyroscopically stabilized indicator may be compared in reading the instrument todetermine pitch. However,

the extent of roll but also the direction. Another advantage of providing the adjustable feature in "conjunction with the gyroscopically stabilizedindicator instead of with they datum marker is that by so doing the two indicating 4media are disposed at' the exact center of the transparent: -Window when in their zero-reading position, insteadA of -inv a position considerably ldisplacedfromV ythe cen-v ter, Was frequently occurs with fmorel conventional instruments of this type. f

Therefore v,one of the mai-n o jects of the pres'- ent invention is-to provide anattitude-indicating night instrument of the general character dejscribed, whereinthe datum marker is mounted in fixed position upon Ythe transparent faceof the instrument and 'which' includes means fori adjusting the other of the two cooperating pitch-` indicator-iis mounted directly-fuponthe, crystal` face ofthe instrument and therefore'. does not require any bracket or other form of support which would obscure view of any portion of the dial therebehind, and wherein advantage is taken? of the fact that the lower part of the dial thus has been made available, by placing the refer-` ence scale for the ver-tical-indicatingY pointer vin that part of the dial, instead of in the upper part.

as has been Vdone heretofore, and thereby A'so arranging the instrument that it gives a true read-, ing of the direction, as well as the extent, of roll.

Yet another object is to construct the adjustment for the gyroscopically stabilized.y indicator insuch a manner, and so to associate it with its stabiliaing gyro vertical, that although the indicator actually is stabilized so Yas to permit the casingof the instrument, and with it the fixed datum marker, to lmove in rotary motion around thestabiliaed indicator, that indicator actually is caused to move slightly'in the opposite direction and thereby amplify ,the 'apparent movement o f the indicatorY to make 4reading of the 'instrument easier and more positive.A

A furtherrobject of mypr'esent invention is to provide an instrument having a manually adjustable gyroscopically Ystabilized indicatorf as described, which is particularly adapted for,`but: is`

not necessarily limited to, use in an instrument .Whereinthe actuating forces are derived'from a gyro Vertical, th'e erecting mechanism of which is constructed in accordance with the principles forming part of thesubject matter of my copending applic-ation, Serial No. 462,943, led October f2 2,k'194'2.

ablefeatures, of which, .with j those enumerated, willbe set forth in the following descrip-v media thereofin the respective positionsloccupied thereby when the plane carrying the instrument is in level flight. 1. Figure 2 is a Yview-similar to Figurerl but showstrumerrtl panel'of an airplane.

You

ingthe vertical-indicating marker` moved .to show jthatthenshippisintzt-30 left bank.

Figure 3 is another view similar to Figure ll Y butI Withvthe indicator showing that the ship kis Y experiencing a ftail high"attitude.

yFigure 1-fis. another. viW similar@ Figure V1 with the instrument indicating both a slightly au 19W# attitude anda 30 right bankiiii `gure5V is a view .in side elevation of rthe in- .Figure iis la longitudinal, horizontal sectional view of the casing of the instrument, the plane 4 of section being indicated by the line 6 6 of Figure 5 and the direction of View by the arrows, and showing most of the internal mechanism in top plan.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view of the casing of the instrument, showing the internal mechanism of the instrument in side elevation. f

...Figure 8I isjanexplode'dfview in 'perspective of the gyroscopically stabilized pitch indicator and the manually adjustable operating mechanism therefor. f

'.:Theprefer'red embodiment of the flight-indicating instrument of the present invention is shown asV being enclosed within a suitable housing or casing adapted for mounting upon the in- The front wall v|'|, whichY preferably is removably secured to the bOdY 0f the Casing I6 as by a plurality of screws .|8, carries a crystal face,or'window I9 through which Jmay beV 'observed the :indicating `media of the instrument.

The mechanism for operating these indicating mediacomprises a gyro' Vertical indicated in its entirety at 2| 'and supported in a `gimbal ring 22 for rotaryV movement about a transverse axis by aligned bearings23; The fgimbal ring 22 is supported Vfor movement about Ma longitudinal axis by 'aligned bearings 24 which conne'ct'the gimbal ring 22 to the housingl 16. The forward "one of the two bearingsy 24 is carried 'by a pillar 26 rigid with and extending upwards 'from th'ebottom of the housing |6. This pillaralso carries abackground shield 2 1 whichv preferably is lin the form of a segment ofi aph'erfe they center of which lies substantially at the intersection of thetransverse and longitudinalgimbal axes. Since the diameter of the shield 2l is somewhat 'greater than that of the opening in the front wall of the housing I6 withA which the crystal face |'9'is associated the shield 21 serves to hide Vthe, internal mechani'sm of the jinstrumentleaving .only the indicating media visible through lthe crystal face' 1'9.

As4 explained,the gyroyertical 2| is mounted for V4universal'movenient 'about the transverse `and f is'adapted to engage 'either one or the: other of two} laterally' extending Aears 32 which are 'p1-bvided 'on the'zupper end 'of the 'pillar`2|,y and thereby limit motion ofthe 'gimbal ring '23, and Vthe gyro 'vertical 2| about the longitudinal'gimbal axis. l v

inthe Yn1oirritatienillustrated and nere-being V-c1escribes, 'tnegyro 'verticarl is ofjthe type described moreparticularlyin my co-pending application Serial No. 462,943, filed October 22; 1942, inasmuch as the 'erecting mechanism'whichifforms an important portion thereof vtakes the' 'formof a pair of crossed, bail like, substantially Semicircular stator members 36' and 3L 'These stators et and si extend transvetseiy and mngitudinany, respectively', with 'fespe'c't'rto the instrument, and

both areengaged lby. arotor "38 which is an up- 'ward extensionboffithevlsh'aftofthe gyroscopes Y rotorinot shown) whenever displacement ofthe err-01 vertical.. frein. iiS vefialtpositn Occurs- .irbefstaior 56 isimentesitforfrotary movement about an axis extending transversely of the casing I6 for which purpose one end 39 of the stator 36 is pivoted directly tothe casing I6 as by a pivot pin 4I. At its diametrically opposite point, however, the housing I6 has an opening `42 closed by a cover plate 43 spaced outward slightly from the associated portion of the housing I6 by an outwardly extending flange 44. Hence, in order to provide support for the other end 46 of the stator 36, a bracket 41' is secured to the housing I6 below the opening 42 and extending downwards to support a pivot pin 48 for the end `46` in axial alignment with the pin 4I. Thus it may be seen that the semi-circular stator 36, because of the engagement of the upper end of the rotor shaft 38 therewith, will follow the movements of the gyro vertical 2| about its transverse gimbal axis regardless of the position of the gimbal ring 22 within the housing I6.

Carried by the cover plate 43 and preferably in a position spaced from the axis of the transverse stator 36 is a tubular bearing 5I having a pin 52 rotatable therein and extending therethrough, with an arm 53 supported upon the inner end of the pin 52. Preferably both the bearing 5I and the pin 52 are materially-elongated so as to minimize the tendency for the pin 52 to bind within Yits bearing tube 5I and thereby contribute to the freedom of movement of the arm 53 about the axis of its vsupporting pin 5I. Y

The arm 53 is provided with an outwardly deflected portion 54 forward of its supporting pin 5I to enable the arm 53 to extend around and past the proximal end 46 of the stator element 36. It is for the accommodation of this outwardly deflected portion 54 without'unduly enlarging the housing I6 that the opening 42 and the outwardly extending flange 44 are provided. Forward of the bracket 41 the arm is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 56; and for: ward of the slot the arm 53 is deflected inwards again to clear the forward portion of the flange 44. To the extreme forward end of the arm 53 an indicator bar 51 is afxed. 'I 'his indicator bar 51 extends transversely across the housing I6 just forward of the background shield 21 where it is visible through the crystal face I9. Preferably this transverse indicator bar 51 is shaped to simulate the forward wing portion of an airplane as clearly shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and 8, and, since its supporting arm 53 is pivoted to the housing I6 of the instrument it will remain at all times parallel to the transverse axis of the airplane in which the instrument is mounted, with the result thatit serves as an indicator useful to show lateral inclination, or roll ofthe aircraft -on which the instrument is mounted.

Means are provided, however, for connecting the supporting arm 53 to the stator element 36 in such a manner as to utilize the gyro vertical 2| for the stabilization of the indicator bar 51. Hence the housing I6 moves in rotary motion about the transverse gimbal axis and with respect to the bar 51 during pitching movements of the aircraft, with the result that the indicator bar 51 can be relied upon also to indicate direction and extent of such pitching movements. A pin 6I rigid with the stator element 36 extends forward therefrom, and preferably radially from the, axis about which the stator element 36 is movable. flecte'd Youtwards to be engaged slidably within theslot 56vin the -arm 53 with lthe result that `when the stator 36 swings forward about its axis of support the supporting arm 53 will swing downwards about the axis of l/itssupporting pin 5 I. 'I o The forward end 62 of the pinI 6I is de-v describe the actionmore .precisely,f however, in actual use the stator element 36, the arm 53 which is connected theretoVand `the indicator bar 51 are stabilized bythe gyro vertical. 2I and hence remain substantially stationary while the housing I6 moves with respect thereto with the result that to a person observingthe indicator bar 51 through the crystal face I9 the bar 51 will appear to fall when the planesattitude changes by lowering its forwardy portion', and to rise when the nose of the ship is raised. Y Y

In order to facilitate ready determination of the direction and extent of any such apparent motion ofthe indicator bar 51 there is associated therewith a datum marker 66 which is rigidly secured to the casing I6, preferably by being permanently fastened to the inner side of the crystal face I9, and substantially at its center. y The datum marker 66 vpreferably is so shaped that it simulates the after 0r tail portion of an airplane, and since the datum marker 66 is to be observed in connection with the bar 51 it is preferred that these two bars be so proportioned with respect to each other that the-two, when observed simultaneously, closely simulate the appearance of an actual aircraft when viewed from some distance astern thereof. Therefore when the plane on .l

which the instrument is mounted alters its attitude, say for example, so as to assume a tail high. position, the horizontal indicator bar 51 will remain substantially stationary while the datum marker is carried upward with respect thereto with theresult that these parts assume a position such as `that illustrated in Figure 3 `wherein the two indicators 51 and 66 closely simu- ,late the appearance of an actual aircraft in tail thigh position and viewed from` astern. Should the plane assume a tail low position the action will be reversed, thedatum marker 66 moving downwards from its zero-reading position so that the instrument presents an appearance suchas that illustrated in Figure 4. Consequently these two indicators 51 and 66 are of such form and cooperate with each other in such a manner that they do not require any interpretation, i. e., it is not necessary for the pilot to convert in his own mind the indications of the instrument to terms which will enable him to operate his controlsv properly. Byl presenting an instrument in which the indicators actually simulate a real airplane and also simulate the movements of the fore-andafter ends ofvan airplane, the movements which the airplane is experiencing are depicted, and the pilot is enabled thereby to develop without mental effort those mental reactions which are necessary for the proper maneuvering of his ship. v

Adjusting means are provided for shifting the transverse indicator 51 without effecting any movement of the stator element 36 or thegyro vertical 2I. lThis is for the purpose ofenabling the pilot to move the indicator 51 into accurate alignment with the datum marker 66 while the ship is flying under such conditions thaty it is abnormally tail high'or tail low. The. cover plate 43 for the opening42, instead of being rigidly secured to the casing I6, isattached adjacent oneend only by a single screw 1I which-has a shoulder 12 thereon which is slightly wider than the thickness of ythe cover'plate 43 vand which, therefore, tightens against thelouter face'of the Vflange 44 into which-the screwl 1I is threadedso as to leave the cover plate '43 free Yto pivot about the axis of the screw] I. Such pivotal kmovement of the cover plate 43 resultsin raising or lowering the pin 52upon which arm 53'is mounted; and

f fulcrurnV support.

erroneos when such` movement .of .the kpin 52Y occurs; the

Yarmwill pivoty about :that portion 62 ,of the pin 6I which is yengaged within Vthe slot '56fand Athereby affect vertical adjustment of `the indicating .bar 51".. ,A .manually rotatable knob 'I3 accessible at therv front of theinstrumentis carried ,bya shaft 'Mfwhich is revolubly mounted in thefront wall and extends therethroughto receive apinion 'I6 whichis rigid with .its inner end and which is enmeshed withrack teeth 11 Acarried by arforward extensionV I8 of the cover platey 4:3.v .Accordingly by :turning the knob .-13 the pilot can move 'the cover Aplate 4.3;, about the .axis yofits tulcr-um :screw 'Il and thereby, raise orzlower :the Vping'liZ-ldepending upon the direction .in which. theknob is turned. fWhen. such vertical movement zof: the pin ,52, occurs theM arm 3v will swing :about the ,laterally extending portionl62 of the pin 6I thus transmitting r.vertical movement to the horizontal indicator 57. In this manner the-pilot .can bring the indicating .bar 51^accurately into alignment the result that ybyreferringl to it the pilot can withthe-datummarker 66;,without requiring any has ascertained -thathis .1ship;is.m.aintaining constan-t elevation,he can, byxmanipulating :the knob I3, bring-.the-indicating'barilinto proper registry with the datum. .marker 6.6, -.-and.vthereafter, by glancing at V,the 'instrument ascertain whether or .not the Vship V:is maintaining|-level :flight without having to :pay -qany-attentionto the exact attitude of. his ship with Vrespect .tothe horizontal.

Since it isdesirablethat :the armo53 befable to :move .about the @axis oflthe `pini52 with maximum Afreedomso as .to :imposea Vminimum of reactive force upon; the lstator elementf36, it Iis preferred that the arm s531=be :in substantially perfect balance and therefore acounterweight'il of appropriate mass'to accomplish thispurposeV is mounted uponthe end `81 lof the .arm 55' `which .is opposit :the .in dcatingbar v51, Y

. Itwillbe observed that vertical movement of the indicating 1bar 55! iwhichresults .from rotary mot-ion orfithe :stator .element 36centails .movement ofthe arr-n 53 :asia lever,aboutftlie pin f52 asits .Consequently vertical movement A.of thetindicartor. .bari ;51,.produced in this Vmanner will .be fampliiedascompared with lthe extent .of` movement. whichfit would experience were 'the' bar :51.- disposed more-closely fadjacent .thegpoi-nt ofzinterconnection betweenthefarrn 53 and thejpin r6 I. Eorzthis reason, -instead Aof being held truly stationary :by its stabilizing lmechanism while its housingrotates'. with respectthere- .to .the indicator 4bar 51 -.actually will be kmoved islightlyrin ftheiopposite direction. That -is to say, when .the fdatumtmarker 6.6 moves :upwards to indicate itha't'theship carrying the instrument is nosing downwards theindi'cator bar 51 will .move downwards slightly (see Figure 3) *.whilefthe` crlys- :tal` face, I9 andthe. datiun marker T66 carried #thereby .moveslupward'sd .Infthis :manner the extent of-relativeinovement between the two indiaeatingrreferenoes '551 and "65, is-so amplified that. even slight deviation', iof Lthe :airplane from level flightjisfinstantly.madefapparent.

'. .plane it includes .a .pair of opposed laterally exten'dingmembers 96 which simulate the .hori- :zontal rudders 'and` a, vertically. extendingportion 9J which simulates the vertical rudder. Consequently, the` Vvertical portioni91- serves as` =a visual inform himself instantly as tothe attitude of his yshines-far as lateral inclination :or roll is concerned.

Bygassociating a reference scale with the vertical indicator 86 to be read in conjunction `therewith the pilot is enabled to ascertain the extent yof such lateral inclination in addition lto direction thereof. In `more conventionally Constructed instruments .it hasv been customary to associate .such a `reference scale with the upper end of .the vertical indicator, probably for the `reason that visibility ofi-the. lower half, oi the dial of such instrumentsy is obscured bya supporting bracket lfor the datum marker of the pitch @indicating media. However, in the present invention, as explained hereinabove, ythe datum marker isV mounted directly upon the .Crystal face` lI9as by being kbonded permanently thereto. Such mounting for the datum marker 66 eliminates the necessity for` a supporting bracket or other structure apt to obscure vision of the lower half of theV dial and therefore'I have provided a pointer 9| on lthe lower end of the vertical indicator I6, and a reference .scale-Q2 carrying calibrations 93 and indicia 9B around the lower half of the circumference of the crystal face I9. Whereas the "number of calibrations employed andthe numerical value of the indicia may be variedtosuit any particular set of circumstances, the type illustrated show the lower half Yof the dial divided into eighteen spaces withthe result that each .calibrationvindicates 10 of roll. Positioning the reference scale 92 for the vertical indicator .96 in the lower half ofthe dial as explained, instead Y,of in the upper half as has been done heretofore, is advantageous for the reasonthat it gives a vtruereading of the direction of roll. For example, if the planecarrying the instrument rolls to the left, the vertical indicator 86 being stabilized by the gylo vertical 2| will remain vertical while the other Visible portions of theinstrument, including. the scale 92 will-rotate in counter-clockwisemotion, with theresult that although thescale 92 moves to the right past the pointerQI of the indicator 9,6, the motion of ,these parts which is'apparent to the pilotis movement of the indicating bar 86 wherein the pointer .9| moves to theleft across .the scale 92 i. e., fin the same .direction as that in which the Vplanchas rolled; Y LCorrespondingly when the ship banksto .theright, the pointer 9] .appears tormoveto the ,rightacross thescale 92.

As a further aid in determining direction and 1 Y Vcating bar 8 6gmay beobserved. `Since the datum marker 66 simulates the tail portion of. an airfgf aid in determining displacement' of" the"r plane rOm' horizontal attitude. Whenfthe is'hipis'not experiencing any lateral inclination; the vertical portion'Sl of the datum marker-66loverliesfthe verticalindicating bar 86. Howev'endmmediately upon any displacement of the vshi'plfron'i its horizontal attitude the verticalportion STmoves away K from its position of alignment with the vertical bar 86 thus developing angularity between these two members which is highly obvious and therefore operates as a signal to' call attention to the fact' that the ship is no longer in truly horizontal attitude. l

Iclaim:

1. In an attitude-indicating flight instrument, a housing, a gyro vertical mounted therein for freedom of movement about at least two-normally horizontal axes, an indicator movably mounted Within said housing, means connecting said indicator to said gyro vertical, said connecting means comprising a pivotally mounted lever, manually operable means for moving said lever, means carried by said lever providing a fulcrum', an arm pivotally supported by said fulcrum, said indicator being carriedr by said arm, and means connecting said gyro vertical to said arm to controlmovement offsaid indicator as said housing moves with respectto said gyro vertical.

2. In an attitude-indicating flight instrument, a housing, a gyro vertical 'mounted therein for freedom/of movement about at least two normally horizontal axes, an indicator movably mounted within said housing, means connecting Vsaid indicator t said gyro vertical, saidconnecting means comprising a lever pivotally mounted for movement about an axis parallel t0 the normal position of one of said horizontal axes, means carried by said lever providing a fulcrumf with its `axis parallel to that of said lever,:an arm-pivotally supported by saidl fulcrum and carrying said'indicator, and means connecting said-gyro vertical to said arm to control movement of said arm and indicator about said axis-of said fulcrumas said housing moves with respect to said gyro'vertical.

3. In an attitude-indicating .flight instrument; a housing, a gyro vertical mounted therein for freedom of movement about at least two normally horizontal axes, an indicatormovably mounted within said housing, means connecting said indicator to said gyro vertical, said connecting means comprising a lever pivotally mounted for movement about an axis parallel to the normal position of one of said horizontal axes, means carried by said lever providing a fulcrum with its axis parallel to that of said lever, an arm pivotally supported by said fulcrum and carrying said indicator, said gyro vertical including a semi-circular member pivoted to said housing for movement about an axis coinciding with' said normal position of said horizontal axis and connected to said gyroscope for movement therewith about said axis of said semi-circular member, and means connecting said semi-circular member to said arm whereby said gyro vertical controls movement of said arm and indicator about said axis of said fulcrum as said housing moves with respect to said gyro vertical.

4. In an attitude-indicating night instrument, a housing, a gyro vertical therein comprising a gimbal mounted for movement about a longitudinal axis, a gyroscope mounted on said gimbal for movement about a normally horizontal axis perpendicular to that of said gimbal, and an erecting mechanism for said gyroscope, said erecting mechanism including a semi-circular member axis coinciding 'withfthe normal' position of said axis' Vof movement of said `gyroscope on said gimba1',"\ said semi-circular member':beingv 'connected 'L tov said Agyroscope vfor movementl therewith about said axis of said semi-circular member, aniindicator movably` mounted within'said housing, and means connecting'fsaid 'indicator with said'V gyro vertical comprising 2a'r leverA pivotally'mounted on said housing for movement about anaxis parallel to'vthat'of said semi-circular member, means for moving said'lever and `releasably retaining'it vin selected position, means carried by said lever providing affulcrum spaced from 'said'axis of said lever, an arm pivotally supportediby said 'fulcrum", said` indicator being carried by saidV arm,l4 and means connecting said semi-circular ml'embeift to said arm Atobe moved.' thereby "whereby said gyro verticalvcontrols movement of said arml"an'df'in dicator as'isaid housing vmoves lwith respect' tothe gyro vertical. '.1 1 i "5'. In an attitude-indicating flight instrument',

` ahousng, agyro vertical thereincompri'sinjg'a gimbal mounted for movement .about 'fa .longitudinal axis, a gyroscope mountedon-said gimbal fory movement about;a-normally'horizontal axis perpendicular to that of said gimbalyand anerecting mechanism for said gyroscope, said erecting mechanism includingr a semi-circularH member pivot'edto said housing for mov'ementabout an axis coinciding withthe normal-,position of. vsaid axis of movement' of saldgyroscope onsaid gimbal,=said semi-circular member beingveonne'cted:

to said gyroscope for movement ftherewith-'about said axis of saidgsemi-circularmeniber,"anindicato'rwithin said housing, and meansconnecting said indicator-to said-gyro verticalV comprising aan arm,.a Ypivotal support for saidV arm. disposede centrically withgrespect to said axis. Voi said -semicircular member,-` said indicator being-carried by said arm in position beyond said axis of saidsem'- circularmemberrfrom the point ofV suspension vof said arm, means connecting said semi-.circular member tofsaid arm to impart' movementthereto coincidentally.' with relativeffmovement .between said A'gyroscope and saidLhousing, and means lfor adiustingsaid; pivotal support in; a direction 'ex-y mechanism including a semi-circular member pivoted to said housing for movement about an axis coinciding with the normal position of said axis of movement of said gyroscope on said gimbal, said semi-circular member being connected to said gyroscope for movement therewith about said axis of said semi-circular member` an indicator within said housing, means connecting said indicator to said gyro vertical comprising an arm carrying said indicator, means connecting said arm to said semi-circular member to be moved thereby coincidentally with relative movement between said gyroscope and. said housing, means providing a fulcrum support for said arm comprising a lever pivotally mounted on said housing and means carried by one ond of said lever pivotally supporting said arm, and manually operable means for moving said lever.

` i f1, man attitude-indicating nightginstmeria a 1 housing; faf gyro verticalrtherein l comprisinga gimbal' mounted 5 for movement -about a longi- `Y tudinal-a'xisa gyroscope mounted on saidgimbal for arnoyernent f' about -a' normally l'iorizontalv axis perpendicular to that -of said gimbal, andan erecting Y mechanism lfor said gyros'cope, said erecting mechanism including al semi-circular member pivoted toy said housing 'formovement about an axis coinciding -with the normal --posi tionfof said axisof movement` of said gyroscope on said gimbal, said semi-circular member-being connected "to said ygyroscope for movement theretosaidgyro vertical comprising: an arm carrying saidlindicatonsaid arm being 'deflected intosaid opening-1in said housing-to extend around and paStsaid` semi-circular member, means connectingA` said --arm to'said'. semi-circular member to be moved thereby coincidentally with relative movewith 'about'sai'd-axis lof said semi-'circular mem-` ber,saidhousing having-an 'opening therein ein' Y,

registry with* the 'pivotal' support for one' endY of saidsemicircular member;A an indicator Within y said housing, means connecting saidindioator to s'aid'gyro vertical comprising arr arm/carrying said-indicatorfsaid arm being ldeflectedn into f said opening in said housing to extendaround "and l past said's'emi-'circular member, means connecting said -`arm-to said" Vsemi-circular member to be 'moved v'thereby coincidentally with 'relative i movement between said'gyrosoopeand said housing; and: means providing'a fulcrum supportfor saidA` armV comprising "a "leverpivotally mounted on "said housing' "and-means" carried byon'e end of 'said' leverl pivotally: supporting saidr arm, 'and manually operablex means `for moving said lever.

:8e In arr attitude-indicating 'iiight instrument,

n achou'singpa 'gyro" vertical-therein comprising'a gimbal `mounted 'fon movement' 'about vr'a 'longierectmgi'imechanism i for Asaid' 'gyroscopa i said erecting. mechanism including a semi-circular member 'pivoted to" said housingffor movement i labout an `axis coinciding" the normali position ofsaidakis of movementof saidgyr'oscope i on said' gimbal,"saidsemi-circular member being i connected 'tof'said gyroscope for movement there- `1 with about fsaid" axis of said semi-'circulanmember, said housing `having an opening tnere'inj;r` 1in registry'witlr theV pivotal y"support forfonefndof said "semi-'circular member; an indicator Within said: housing, measi connecting"saidf'mdicator tudinala'xisa"gyroscope'mounted'on'said gimbal g for-movement about-a normally horizontal axis perpendicularjtoj that f of said 'gimbaL 'and' an ment between saidg-gyroscope and Vsaid housing, means providing a fulcrum support for said arm comprising a cover plate for 'said opening, means pivotallysupporting said cover plate on said housing and intermediate its ends to present a lever, means carried'by vone'end of said cover plate pivotally supporting said arm, land meansV connected to the other end of said cover Vplate for moving it about said pivotal support therefor. 9.y In `an attitude-indicating night instrument, a housing, a gyro vertical mounted therein'for Vfreedom of movement about at 'least two normal'ly *horizontalA axes; an indicator mounted for movement with respect to said housing, and means connecting said indicator to said gyrovertical, lsaid connecting means comprisingan adjustably .mounted tmember, an Varm ypivotally mounted on said 'member' and'carrying said indicator, and means connecting said gyro vertical to said' arm to'control movement of said indicator .as-said housing moves with respect-tov said gyro vertical, and a device operable-tofadjust said member.

'10. Inan attitude-indicatingflight-instrument,

ahousing, a gyro'verti'cal vmounted therein for Afreedom-0f movement about at least two normally horizontal axes, an indicator mounted? for movement with respect to-said" housing, means 'connecting said indicator to said gyro vertical, said connecting means comprising' a -mem-beradjustably mounted for movement aboutan 'axisparallel operable to adjust `said member.-

`THOMAS'O. SUMMERS, JR. 

